Lance Franklin has played the past two matches despite only managing a short training session once a week due to his lingering heel complaint.
Despite that, Sydney is hoping Franklin can slowly increase his load to be back to full training around the Swans' bye in round 14.
He has kicked four goals and averaged 16 touches in his two games since returning from a three-week break to rest his bruised heel.
"He wasn't really able to train since round one anyway, but he's been able to train the last couple of weeks so it's actually important for him to get some training sessions in," coach John Longmire said.
"So we're hoping by [the bye] he's actually feeling good enough to keep training, so if it doesn't go back(wards) between now and then, it might be a good thing he'll be able to keep training and get some real touch and fitness over that period.
"He's been able to train over the last few weeks on a Thursday for a short period, so hopefully that'll increase over the next few weeks."
Longmire said defender Callum Mills had surgery on Monday for a broken foot, suffered in a freak accident throwing a gridiron ball with teammates on the way back to the club from training at Moore Park.
"I was extremely disappointed [when he heard about it] from a physio," he said.
"I was disappointed for Callum, disappointed for us; he's a very good player, a very important player for us. I was very disappointed in it.
"Unfortunately for him he's out for the year and has to sit on the sidelines, and that's not a win for us or him."
After accounting for Brisbane by 18 points in a rainy affair at the Gabba last week, Sydney will not be complacent despite taking on 18th-placed Carlton at the SCG.
"Our boys are always on the lookout for the quality of opposition no matter who we play,” Longmire said.
"On the weekend we knew that Brisbane were in really good form regardless of their ladder position, and Carlton got within eight points of Geelong in the last quarter, so we've got absolute respect for what they can do as well."
It will also be vice-captain Dan Hannebery's 200th game.
"'Hanners' impact has been incredible. He was still going to school [in his first season], he was living in Melbourne and flying up and playing AFL football," Longmire said.
"He's a three-time All Australian, a key component to our team and to be a veteran at such a young age of 200 games, is a real credit to him. Not only how young he started but how consistent he's been over that period of time."